5G radio management based on thermal, battery, or transmit power considerations

ABSTRACT

A user equipment (UE) can determine that a thermal condition or a battery condition is satisfied with regard to the UE, wherein the UE is associated with a 4G/Long Term Evolution (4G/LTE) connection and a 5G/New Radio (5G/NR) connection; determine whether the 5G/NR connection is to be activated or deactivated based on the thermal condition or the battery condition; transmit a tracking area update request based on determining that the thermal condition or the battery condition is satisfied; transmit capability information, wherein, when the 5G/NR connection is to be activated, the capability information indicates a 5G/NR capability of the UE, and wherein, when the 5G/NR connection is to be deactivated, the capability information does not indicate the 5G/NR capability of the UE; and deactivate or activate a 5G/NR modem of the UE based on determining that the thermal condition or the battery condition is satisfied.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/907,024, filed Feb. 27, 2018, which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

5G/New Radio (5G/NR) provides various enhancements to wirelesscommunications, such as flexible bandwidth allocation, improved spectralefficiency, ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC),beamforming, high-frequency communication (e.g., millimeter wave(mmWave), and/or the like. User equipment (UEs) during the transitionbetween 4G/Long Term Evolution (4G/LTE) and 5G/NR can support thesimultaneous use of 4G/LTE and 5G/NR.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D are diagrams of an overview of an example implementationdescribed herein;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example environment in which systems and/ormethods, described herein, can be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of one or more devices of FIG.2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts of example processes for selectivelyactivating a 5G/NR connection based on a thermal condition or a batterycondition, and for selectively reducing transmit power for a 5G/NRconnection based on a maximum transmit power, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of components of a UE that is capable ofcommunicating using E-UTRAN-New Radio dual connectivity (EN-DC); and

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example implementation for selectivelyreducing transmit power for 5G/NR based on a maximum transmit power of aUE.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of example implementations refers tothe accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in differentdrawings can identify the same or similar elements.

A UE can provide dual connectivity with regard to two or more radioaccess technologies (RATs). One dual connectivity configuration isE-UTRAN-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), which can provide dualconnectivity between an Evolved Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access network (E-UTRAN), such as4G/LTE, and a NR network, such as 5G/NR. For example, the 4G/LTE networkcan provide a fallback option when 5G/NR coverage is not adequate orwhen some services (e.g., Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), such asVoice over LTE (VoLTE), and/or other services) are not deployed on the5G/NR network.

The UE can use significant resources to simultaneously communicate using4G/LTE and 5G/NR. For example, 5G/NR can be associated with a higherbaseband processing load due to the larger bandwidths and throughputs of5G/NR. This can generate more heat and use more battery and processorresources than a UE using only 4G/LTE. Heat generation is undesirablefor various reasons including user experience, damage to the UE, andfrequency drift of the UE. Furthermore, simultaneously communicatingusing 4G/LTE and 5G/NR can require a higher total UE transmit power(e.g., total radiated power (TRP), total effective isotropic radiatedpower (EIRP), or a similar measure of transmitted power of the UE) thancommunicating using a single RAT. The higher total UE transmit power canincrease battery usage and heat generation, and can require moresophisticated and expensive amplifiers.

Some implementations described herein can provide for management of a5G/NR radio connection based at least in part on thermal considerations,battery considerations, and/or transmit power considerations. Forexample, some implementations described herein can determine that athermal condition or a battery condition is satisfied with regard to aUE, and can deactivate a 5G/NR modem of the UE based on the thermalcondition or the battery condition being satisfied. In such a case, theUE can communicate with a network (e.g., a base station associated withthe 5G/NR connection) to cause the 5G/NR connection to be deactivated ortorn down on the network side. In some implementations, someimplementations described herein can selectively decrease a transmitpower of a 5G/NR connection of the UE when a total transmit power of theUE exceeds a maximum transmit power of the UE. In this way, a 4G/LTEconnection can be maintained while the maximum transmit power issatisfied, thus reducing impact on user-facing services such as VoLTEcalling. In this way, some implementations described herein can conservebattery resources, reduce thermal output, and improve performance of theUE in uplink power-limited scenarios.

FIGS. 1A-1D are diagrams of an overview of an example implementation 100described herein. FIGS. 1A-1D show an example of selectivelydeactivating a 5G/NR connection (in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and activating a5G/NR connection (in FIGS. 1C and 1D) based on a thermal condition or abattery condition. As shown, example implementation 100 can include a UE105 (e.g., UE 210, as described below) and a base station 110 (e.g.,base station 220, as described below). As further shown, UE 105 can beassociated with a 4G/LTE connection and a 5G/NR connection. For example,UE 105 can be an EN-DC UE that provides simultaneous connectivity withregard to a 4G/LTE network and a 5G/NR network. In some implementations,base station 110 can be a single base station that provides 4G/LTE and5G/NR access. In some implementations, base station 110 can include a4G/LTE base station (e.g., an eNB) and a 5G/NR base station (e.g., agNB), which may or may not be collocated.

As shown by reference number 115, UE 105 can determine that a firstthermal condition or battery condition is satisfied. The first thermalcondition or battery condition can cause UE 105 to deactivate a 5G/NRconnection when the first thermal condition or battery condition issatisfied. For example, the 5G/NR connection can use significant batteryand processor resources of UE 105, which can increase heat generationand battery consumption of UE 105. This, in turn, can impact batterylife and user experience, and can damage UE 105 if temperatures aresufficiently high. In some implementations, UE 105 can determine thatthe first thermal condition is satisfied when a thermal value of UE 105satisfies a threshold (e.g., when a temperature associated with UE 105is too high). Additionally, or alternatively, UE 105 can determine thatthe first battery condition is satisfied when a battery level of UE 105satisfies a threshold (e.g., when a battery level of UE 105 is too low).

As shown by reference number 120, UE 105 can determine to deactivate5G/NR based on the first thermal condition or battery condition beingsatisfied. For example, when the thermal value or the battery levelsatisfies a corresponding threshold, UE 105 can determine that the 5G/NRconnection is to be released or torn down, and/or that a 5G/NR modem ofUE 105 is to be deactivated (e.g., placed in an idle mode, turned off,etc.).

As shown by reference number 125, UE 105 can provide a tracking areaupdate (TAU) request based on determining to deactivate 5G/NR. Forexample, UE 105 can provide the TAU request to trigger a TAU by basestation 110. In the TAU request, UE 105 may include a particular valueindicating that a UE radio capability update is needed (e.g., a “UEradio capability information updated needed” information element). Thismay indicate that UE 105 is to update the UE 105's RRC capabilities. Amobility management entity may cause base station 110 to initiate aradio resource control (RRC) UE capability transfer procedure withregard to UE 105. As part of the RRC UE capability transfer procedure,UE 105 provides capability information to indicate RATs with which UE105 can communicate. UE 105 can modify the capability information tocause base station 110 to deactivate the 5G/NR connection, as describedin more detail below. In some implementations, UE 105 can provide theTAU request via the 4G/LTE connection.

As shown in FIG. 1B, and by reference number 130, UE 105 can providecapability information to base station 110. For example, UE 105 canprovide the capability information via the 4G/LTE connection. In someimplementations, the capability information can be provided using a UEradio capability information update information element.

As shown, the capability information can identify a 4G/LTE capability ofUE 105. As further shown, the capability information might not identifya 5G/NR capability of UE 105. In this way, UE 105 can cause base station110 to release or end the 5G/NR connection with UE 105. Thus, datablackholing and/or other data loss is prevented by causing base station110 to release or end the 5G/NR connection before a 5G/NR modem of UE105 is deactivated.

As shown by reference number 135, UE 105 can deactivate a 5G/NR modem ofUE 105. This can reduce processor and battery usage of UE 105, therebyreducing temperature and improving battery life of UE 105. Thus, UE 105can selectively deactivate 5G/NR based on the first thermal condition orbattery condition, thereby improving user experience and improvingbattery life.

As shown by reference number 140, base station 110 can end the 5G/NRconnection with UE 105 based on the capability report. For example, basestation 110 can end the 5G/NR connection based on the capability reportnot identifying the 5G/NR capability. In some implementations, basestation 110 can establish a 4G/LTE data bearer with UE 105. For example,in a case where the 4G/LTE is a voice connection (e.g., a voice bearer)and the 5G/NR connection is a data connection, base station 110 and UE105 can establish a data connection (e.g., a data bearer) using 4G/LTE.In this way, data communication of UE 105 can be preserved.

FIGS. 1C and 1D show an implementation wherein UE 105 activates a 5G/NRconnection based on a second thermal condition or battery condition. Asshown in FIG. 1C, and by reference number 145, UE 105 can determine thata second thermal condition or battery condition is satisfied. In someimplementations, the second thermal condition or battery condition canbe based on the first thermal condition or battery condition. Forexample, when a threshold associated with the first thermal condition isnot satisfied by a thermal value, UE 105 can determine that the secondthermal condition is satisfied. Similarly, when a threshold associatedwith the first battery condition is not satisfied, UE 105 can determinethat the second battery condition is satisfied. In some implementations,there can be a gap between the threshold associated with the firstthermal condition or battery condition and the threshold associated withthe second thermal condition or battery condition. This can preventrubber-banding between activation and deactivation of the 5G/NRconnection.

As shown by reference number 150, UE 105 can determine to activate the5G/NR connection based on the second thermal condition or batterycondition being satisfied. As shown by reference number 155, UE 105 canprovide a TAU request to base station 110, as described in more detailelsewhere herein.

As shown in FIG. 1D, and by reference number 160, UE 105 can providecapability information to base station 110 based on providing the TAUrequest (e.g., as part of a UE capability transfer procedure). Asfurther shown, the capability information can indicate that UE 105 iscapable of communicating using 4G/LTE and 5G/NR. As shown, thecapability information can be provided using the 4G/LTE connection(e.g., since the 5G/NR connection is not yet active).

As shown by reference number 165, UE 105 can activate a 5G/NR modembased on determining that the second thermal condition or batterycondition is satisfied. For example, UE 105 can activate the 5G/NR modemby powering on the 5G/NR modem or switching the 5G/NR modem to an activestate.

As shown by reference number 170, UE 105 and base station 110 canestablish a 5G/NR connection based on the capability report. In someimplementations, UE 105 and base station 110 can establish a dataconnection, such as a data bearer and/or the like. In someimplementations, UE 105 and base station 110 can end a data connection(e.g., a data bearer) associated with a 4G/LTE connection, whichconserves processor, battery, and radio resources that would otherwisebe used to maintain 4G/LTE and 5G/NR data connections.

In this way, UE 105 selectively causes a 5G/NR connection to beactivated or deactivated based on a battery condition or thermalcondition of UE 105. Thus, the 5G/NR connection can be deactivated whenbattery drain or UE temperature are too high, thereby conserving batterypower and preventing temperature-based damage to UE 105. Conversely, the5G/NR connection can be activated when a battery level of UE 105 issufficiently high or temperature is sufficiently low, thereby improvingthroughput and enabling multi-RAT operation of UE 105 in acceptabletemperature and battery states.

As indicated above, FIG. 1 is provided merely as an example. Otherexamples are possible and can differ from what was described with regardto FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example environment 200 in which systemsand/or methods, described herein, can be implemented. As shown in FIG.2, environment 200 can include a UE 210, one or more base stations 220,and one or more networks 230. Devices of environment 200 caninterconnect via wired connections, wireless connections, or acombination of wired and wireless connections.

UE 210 can include one or more devices capable of communicating withbase station 220 and/or a network (e.g., network 230). For example, UE210 can include a wireless communication device, a radiotelephone, apersonal communications system (PCS) terminal (e.g., that can combine acellular radiotelephone with data processing and data communicationscapabilities), a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, apersonal gaming system, user equipment, and/or a similar device. UE 210can be capable of communicating using uplink (e.g., UE to base station)communications, downlink (e.g., base station to UE) communications,and/or sidelink (e.g., UE-to-UE) communications. In someimplementations, UE 210 can include a machine-type communication (MTC)UE, such as an evolved or enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. In someimplementations, UE 210 can include an Internet of Things (IoT) UE, suchas a narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) UE and/or the like. In someimplementations, UE 210 can be capable of communicating using multipleRATs, as described in more detail in connection with FIG. 5, below.

Base station 220 includes one or more devices capable of communicatingwith UE 210 using a cellular RAT. For example, base station 220 caninclude a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a node B, anevolved node B (eNB), a gNB, a base station subsystem, a cellular site,a cellular tower (e.g., a cell phone tower, a mobile phone tower, etc.),an access point, a transmit receive point (TRP), a radio access node, amacrocell base station, a microcell base station, a picocell basestation, a femtocell base station, or a similar type of device. Basestation 220 can transfer traffic between UE 210 (e.g., using a cellularRAT), other base stations 220 (e.g., using a wireless interface or abackhaul interface, such as a wired backhaul interface), and/or network230. Base station 220 can provide one or more cells that covergeographic areas. Some base stations 220 can be mobile base stations.Some base stations 220 can be capable of communicating using multipleRATs.

In some implementations, base station 220 can perform scheduling and/orresource management for UEs 210 covered by base station 220 (e.g., UEs210 covered by a cell provided by base station 220). In someimplementations, base stations 220 can be controlled or coordinated by anetwork controller, which can perform load balancing, network-levelconfiguration, and/or the like. The network controller can communicatewith base stations 220 via a wireless or wireline backhaul. In someimplementations, base station 220 can include a network controller, aself-organizing network (SON) module or component, or a similar moduleor component. In other words, a base station 220 can perform networkcontrol, scheduling, and/or network management functions (e.g., forother base stations 220 and/or for uplink, downlink, and/or sidelinkcommunications of UEs 210 covered by the base station 220). In someimplementations, base station 220 can include a central unit andmultiple distributed units. The central unit can coordinate accesscontrol and communication with regard to the multiple distributed units.The multiple distributed units can provide UEs 210 and/or other basestations 220 with access to network 230.

Network 230 includes one or more wired and/or wireless networks. Forexample, network 230 can include a cellular network (e.g., a codedivision multiple access (CDMA) network, a 3G network, a 4G/LTE network,a 5G/NR network, another type of next generation network, etc.), apublic land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephonenetwork (e.g., the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), a privatenetwork, an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiberoptic-based network, a cloud computing network, or the like, and/or acombination of these or other types of networks.

The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in FIG. 2 areprovided as an example. In practice, there can be additional devicesand/or networks, fewer devices and/or networks, different devices and/ornetworks, or differently arranged devices and/or networks than thoseshown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, two or more devices shown in FIG. 2 can beimplemented within a single device, or a single device shown in FIG. 2can be implemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, oralternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) ofenvironment 200 can perform one or more functions described as beingperformed by another set of devices of environment 200.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of a device 300. Device 300can correspond to UE 210 and/or base station 220. In someimplementations UE 210 and/or base station 220 can include one or moredevices 300 and/or one or more components of device 300. As shown inFIG. 3, device 300 can include a bus 310, a processor 320, a memory 330,a storage component 340, an input component 350, an output component360, and a communication interface 370.

Bus 310 includes a component that permits communication among thecomponents of device 300. Processor 320 is implemented in hardware,firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. Processor 320 is acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), anaccelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller,a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array(FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or anothertype of processing component. In some implementations, processor 320includes one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform afunction. Memory 330 includes one or more memories such as a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type ofdynamic or static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magneticmemory, and/or an optical memory) that stores information and/orinstructions for use by processor 320.

Storage component 340 stores information and/or software related to theoperation and use of device 300. For example, storage component 340 caninclude a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optic disk, and/or a solid state disk), a compact disc (CD), adigital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetictape, and/or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium,along with a corresponding drive.

Input component 350 includes a component that permits device 300 toreceive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touch screendisplay, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and/or amicrophone). Additionally, or alternatively, input component 350 caninclude a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioningsystem (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or anactuator). Output component 360 includes a component that providesoutput information from device 300 (e.g., a display, a speaker, and/orone or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs)).

Communication interface 370 includes a transceiver-like component (e.g.,a transceiver and/or a separate receiver and transmitter) that enablesdevice 300 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wiredconnection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired andwireless connections. Communication interface 370 can permit device 300to receive information from another device and/or provide information toanother device. For example, communication interface 370 can include anEthernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, aninfrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serialbus (USB) interface, a wireless local area network interface, a cellularnetwork interface, or the like.

Device 300 can perform one or more processes described herein. Device300 can perform these processes based on processor 320 executingsoftware instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, such as memory 330 and/or storage component 340. Acomputer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memorydevice. A memory device includes memory space within a single physicalstorage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storagedevices.

Software instructions can be read into memory 330 and/or storagecomponent 340 from another computer-readable medium or from anotherdevice via communication interface 370. When executed, softwareinstructions stored in memory 330 and/or storage component 340 can causeprocessor 320 to perform one or more processes described herein.Additionally, or alternatively, hardwired circuitry can be used in placeof or in combination with software instructions to perform one or moreprocesses described herein. Thus, implementations described herein arenot limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry andsoftware.

The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 3 are provided asan example. In practice, device 300 can include additional components,fewer components, different components, or differently arrangedcomponents than those shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, or alternatively, aset of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 300 canperform one or more functions described as being performed by anotherset of components of device 300.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts of example processes 405 and 410 forselectively activating a 5G/NR connection based on a thermal conditionor a battery condition, and for selectively reducing transmit power fora 5G/NR connection based on a maximum transmit power, respectively. Insome implementations, one or more process blocks of FIG. 4 can beperformed by UE 210. In some implementations, one or more process blocksof FIG. 4 can be performed by another device or a group of devicesseparate from or including UE 210, such as base station 220.

As shown in FIG. 4A, process 405 can include determining that a thermalcondition or a battery condition is satisfied with regard to a UE (block415). For example, UE 210 (e.g., using processor 320 or processor 510)can determine that a thermal condition or a battery condition issatisfied. In some implementations, UE 210 can determine that thethermal condition is satisfied based on a thermal value or a temperaturevalue associated with UE 210. For example, UE 210 can determine that afirst thermal condition is satisfied based on a first threshold (e.g.,when the thermal value or temperature value satisfies the firstthreshold), or can determine that a second thermal condition issatisfied based on a second threshold (e.g., when the thermal value ortemperature value satisfies the second threshold). Similarly, UE 210 candetermine that a first battery condition is satisfied based on a firstthreshold (e.g., when a battery value satisfies the first threshold), orcan determine that a second battery condition is satisfied based on asecond threshold (e.g., when the battery value satisfies the secondthreshold). When the first threshold is satisfied, UE 210 can determinethat a 5G/NR connection is to be deactivated. When the second thresholdis satisfied, or when the first threshold is not satisfied, UE 210 candetermine that the 5G/NR connection is to be activated.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, process 405 can include transmitting a TAUrequest based on determining that the thermal condition or the batterycondition is satisfied (block 420). For example, UE 210 (e.g., usingoutput component 360 or antenna 550) can transmit a TAU request. In someimplementations, UE 210 can transmit the TAU request using a 4G/LTEconnection of UE 210. In some implementations, UE 210 can transmit theTAU request to initiate a RRC UE capability transfer procedure so thatUE 210 can provide capability information indicating whether the 5G/NRconnection should be activated or deactivated, as described in moredetail below.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, process 405 can include determining whethera 5G/NR connection is to be activated or deactivated based on thecondition (block 425). For example, UE 210 can determine (e.g., usingprocessor 320 or processor 510) whether a 5G/NR connection (e.g., a dataconnection, such as a data bearer) is to be activated or deactivated. UE210 can determine whether the 5G/NR connection is to be activated ordeactivated based on the thermal condition or the battery condition. Forexample, UE 210 can determine that the 5G/NR connection is to beactivated when the battery condition indicates that the UE 210 hasenough battery power for 5G/NR communication, or can determine that the5G/NR connection is to be deactivated when the battery conditionindicates that the UE 210 does not have enough battery power for 5G/NRcommunication. As another example, UE 210 can determine that the 5G/NRconnection is to be deactivated when the thermal condition indicatesthat UE 210 is too hot for 5G/NR communication, or can determine thatthe 5G/NR connection is to be activated when the thermal conditionindicates that UE 210 is not too hot for 5G/NR communication.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, when the 5G/NR connection is to beactivated (block 415—Activated) then process 405 can includetransmitting capability information indicating a 5G/NR capability (block430). For example, when the 5G/NR connection is to be activated (e.g.,when UE 210 has enough battery power for 5G/NR communication and/or whenUE 210 is not too hot for 5G/NR communication), UE 210 can transmit(e.g., using output component 360 or antenna 550) capability informationindicating a 5G/NR capability. In some implementations, the capabilityinformation can be provided as part of a RRC UE capability transferprocedure associated with the TAU request. In this way, UE 210 can causeBS 220 to activate a 5G/NR connection using existing signaling andcommunication protocols, thereby simplifying implementation andimproving compatibility of process 405 with regard to existing basestations 220. In some implementations, UE 210 can provide the capabilityinformation to base station 220 on a 4G/LTE connection.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, when the 5G/NR connection is to bedeactivated (block 415—Deactivated), then process 405 can includetransmitting capability information that does not indicate the 5G/NRcapability (block 435). For example, when the 5G/NR connection is to bedeactivated (e.g., when UE 210 does not have enough battery power for5G/NR communication and/or when UE 210 is too hot for 5G/NRcommunication), UE 210 (e.g., using output component 360 or antenna 550)can transmit capability information that does not indicate a 5G/NRcapability. For example, the capability information can indicate only a4G/LTE capability. In some implementations, the capability informationcan be provided as part of a RRC UE capability transfer procedureassociated with the TAU request. In this way, UE 210 can cause BS 220 todeactivate a 5G/NR connection using existing signaling and communicationprotocols, thereby simplifying implementation and improvingcompatibility of process 405 with regard to existing base stations 220.In some implementations, UE 210 can provide the capability informationto base station 220 on a 4G/LTE connection.

As further shown in FIG. 4A, process 405 can include deactivating oractivating a 5G/NR modem of the UE (block 440). For example, UE 210 caninclude a 5G/NR modem, such as 5G/NR modem 520 described in more detailin connection with FIG. 5, below. When UE 210 is to activate the 5G/NRconnection, UE 210 can activate the 5G/NR modem. When UE 210 is todeactivate the 5G/NR connection, UE 210 can deactivate the 5G/NR modem.In some implementations, UE 210 can include a single modem for 5G/NRcommunication and 4G/LTE communication. In such a case, UE 210 canactivate or deactivate a 5G/NR component of the modem. In this way, UE210 can conserve battery power and reduce heat generation when 5G/NR isnot to be used.

FIG. 4B shows an example of a process 410 for selectively reducingtransmit power for a 5G/NR connection based on a maximum transmit power,as indicated above. As shown in FIG. 4B, process 410 can includedetermining that a maximum transmit power condition of a UE is satisfied(block 445). For example, UE 210 (e.g., using processor 320 or processor510) can determine that a maximum transmit power condition is satisfied.The maximum transmit power condition can be based on a power level atwhich UE 210 is permitted or configured to transmit. For example, UE 210can be associated with a maximum transmit power based on a networkconfiguration (e.g., based on closed loop power control, interferencereduction, and/or the like). As another example, UE 210 can beassociated with a maximum transmit power that is configured to limitbattery usage of UE 210. In some implementations, the maximum transmitpower condition can be based on a total radiated power (TRP) or EIRPmeasurement of the UE 210 or a similar value. In some implementations,the maximum transmit power described herein may be a maximum totaltransmit power of the UE. In some implementations, the maximum transmitpower may be based on UE design constraints or regulatory requirements.

In some implementations, UE 210 can determine whether the maximumtransmit power condition is satisfied based on whether a cumulativetransmit power of the 4G/LTE connection and the 5G/NR connection satisfya threshold associated with the maximum transmit power condition. Insome implementations, the maximum transmit power condition can be basedon a maximum transmit power of UE 210, an average transmit power of UE210, and/or the like.

In some implementations, UE 210 can determine that the maximum transmitpower condition is satisfied based on one or more active applications orservices of UE 210. For example, UE 210 can determine that a particularservice is active on a 4G/LTE connection, such as a service associatedwith a quality of service (QoS) guarantee. As another example, UE 210can determine that a voice call (e.g., a VoLTE call) is active on the4G/LTE connection. Based on the one or more active applications orservices, UE 210 can determine whether the maximum transmit powercondition is satisfied. For example, UE 210 can determine whether themaximum transmit power condition is satisfied to ensure that a transmitpower for the one or more active applications or services is notcompromised by a transmit power of a 5G/NR connection, thereby degradingperformance of the one or more active applications or services. Bydetermining whether the maximum transmit power condition is satisfiedbased on the one or more active applications or services, UE 210conserves processor resources that would otherwise be used to determinewhether the maximum transmit power condition is satisfied irrespectiveof active applications or services.

As further shown in FIG. 4B, process 410 can include decreasing atransmit power of a 5G/NR connection of the UE, and maintaining atransmit power of a 4G/LTE connection of the UE (blocks 450 and 455,respectively). For example, UE 210 (e.g., using processor 320 orprocessor 510) can maintain transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection(e.g., the connection associated with the one or more applications orservices) while decreasing a transmit power of the 5G/NR connection ofUE 210. In some implementations, UE 210 can decrease the transmit powerof the 5G/NR connection by a particular amount. For example, when atotal transmission power of UE 210 has exceeded the maximum transmitpower of the UE 210 by a particular amount, UE 210 can decrease thetransmit power of the 5G/NR connection by the particular amount. In someimplementations, UE 210 can decrease the transmit power of the 5G/NRconnection to zero. For example, UE 210 can allow the 5G/NR connectionto enter radio link failure rather than decreasing the transmit power ofthe 4G/LTE connection. In this way, UE 210 ensures that QoS requirementsand/or user experience are preserved with regard to the 4G/LTEconnection, and conserves transmit power that would otherwise be usedfor the 5G/NR connection.

Although FIGS. 4A and 4B show example blocks of processes 405 and 410,in some implementations, processes 405 and/or 410 can include additionalblocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocksthan those depicted in FIG. 4. Additionally, or alternatively, two ormore of the blocks of processes 405 and/or 410 can be performed inparallel.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of components of a UE 210 that is capable ofcommunicating using EN-DC. As shown, UE 210 can include one or moreprocessors 510. Processor 510 can include processor 320. In someimplementations, processor 510 can include, for example, a transmitprocessor, a controller/processor, a receive processor, a transmitmultiple-input multiple-output (TX MIMO) processor, a receive MIMO (RXMIMO) processor, and/or the like. Processor 510 can perform basebandprocessing of communications received via a 4G/LTE connection and via a5G/NR connection. In some aspects, the 4G/LTE connection can beassociated with a first processor 510 and the 5G/NR connection can beassociated with a second processor 510.

As shown, UE 210 can include a 5G/NR modem 520. 5G/NR modem 520 canperform processing, modulation, demodulation, and/or the like for 5G/NRcommunications of UE 210. As further shown, UE 210 can include a 4G/LTEmodem 530. 4G/LTE modem 530 can perform processing, modulation,demodulation, and/or the like for 4G/LTE communications of UE 210. Insome implementations, 5G/NR modem 520 and 4G/LTE modem 530 can beseparate components. In some implementations, 5G/NR modem 520 and 4G/LTEmodem 530 can be included in the same component.

As shown, UE 210 can include radio frequency (RF) chains 540-1 and540-2. For example, RF chain 540-1 can be for 5G/NR communications of UE210, and RF chain 540-2 can be for 4G/LTE communications of UE 210. Insome implementations, RF chain 540 can perform encoding, decoding,serialization, parallelization, mapping, transformation, guardbandinsertion or removal, signal upconversion/downconversion, signalamplification, signal filtering and/or the like. In someimplementations, UE 210 can activate or deactivate RF chain 540 whenactivating or deactivating 5G/NR modem 520. For example, UE 210 candeactivate RF chain 540-1 when UE 210 deactivates 5G/NR modem 520. Thiscan conserve battery and processor resources that would otherwise beused to operate RF chain 540-1 while 5G/NR modem 520 is inactive. Insome implementations, an RF chain 540 may be used for both 4G/LTE and5G/NR

As further shown, UE 210 can include antennas 550. For example, the5G/NR connection associated with 5G/NR modem 520 can be associated withone or more antennas 550 and the 4G/LTE connection associated with4G/LTE modem 530 can be associated with one or more antennas 550. Insome implementations, UE 210 can be associated with a plurality ofantennas 550, such as one or more arrays or sub-arrays of antennas. Insome implementations, antenna 550 can be considered to be a part of RFchain 540. In some implementations, antenna 550 may be shared between4G/LTE and 5G/NR.

As indicated above, FIG. 5 is provided as an example. Other examples arepossible and can differ from what was described with regard to FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example implementation 600 for selectivelyreducing transmit power for 5G/NR based on a maximum transmit power of aUE. As shown in FIG. 6, and by reference number 610, a UE 210 can beassociated with a maximum transmit power (e.g., a maximum total transmitpower, shown as P_(max)), as described in more detail elsewhere herein.As shown by reference number 620, UE 210 can be associated with a 5G/NRtransmit power (e.g., P_(5G)). As shown by reference number 630, UE 210can be associated with a 4G/LTE transmit power (e.g., P_(4G)). The 5G/NRtransmit power can be associated with a 5G/NR connection, shown byreference number 640 as a 5G/NR best effort data bearer. For example, UE210 can use the 5G/NR connection for best-effort data, which can providehigher throughput than a 4G/LTE data bearer, and which can requiretransmit power in addition to the 4G/LTE transmit power.

As shown by reference number 650, the 4G/LTE transmit power can beassociated with a 4G/LTE connection, shown here as a VoLTE call. Forexample, the VoLTE call can be associated with a particular QoSrequirement, or can be associated with a priority level. The particularQoS requirement or priority level can indicate that the VoLTE call isnot to be dropped and/or can indicate a particular signal quality,signal strength, or the like that is to be maintained for the VoLTEcall. Therefore, it can be beneficial for UE 210 to maintain the 4G/LTEtransmit power so that the VoLTE call is not impacted or dropped in theevent of an uplink transmit power-limited scenario.

As shown by reference number 660, UE 210 can determine that a sum of the4G/LTE transmit power and the 5G/NR transmit power satisfies a thresholdassociated with a maximum transmit power condition. Here, the thresholdis equal to the maximum transmit power. In some implementations, thethreshold can be based on another value, such as a particular percentageof the maximum transmit power, an average transmit power, and/or thelike. As shown by reference number 670, UE 210 can decrease the 5G/NRtransmit power while maintaining the 4G/LTE transmit power. For example,UE 210 can decrease the 5G/NR transmit power until the thresholddescribed above is no longer satisfied. In some implementations, UE 210can decrease the 5G/NR transmit power to a particular value. Forexample, UE 210 can decrease the 5G/NR transmit power until the 5G/NRtransmit power reaches a minimum value, and might not further decreasethe 5G/NR transmit power. In some implementations, UE 210 can decreasethe 5G/NR transmit power to zero. In this way, UE 210 can ensure that amaximum transmit power of UE 210 is not exceeded while maintaining a QoSor priority level associated with 4G/LTE communications, therebyimproving 4G/LTE throughput and conserving battery and/or radioresources of UE 210. This may also maintain 4G/LTE uplink coverage,particularly at the cell edge.

As indicated above, FIG. 6 is provided merely as an example. Otherexamples are possible and can differ from what was described with regardto FIG. 6.

In this way, UE 210 can conserve battery resources, reduce thermaloutput, and improve performance of UE 210 in uplink power-limitedscenarios.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above disclosure or can be acquired from practice of theimplementations.

As used herein, the term component is intended to be broadly construedas hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software.

Some implementations are described herein in connection with thresholds.As used herein, satisfying a threshold can refer to a value beinggreater than the threshold, more than the threshold, higher than thethreshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than thethreshold, fewer than the threshold, lower than the threshold, less thanor equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, or the like.

To the extent the aforementioned embodiments collect, store, or employpersonal information provided by individuals, it should be understoodthat such information shall be used in accordance with all applicablelaws concerning protection of personal information. Additionally, thecollection, storage, and use of such information can be subject toconsent of the individual to such activity, for example, through wellknown “opt-in” or “opt-out” processes as can be appropriate for thesituation and type of information. Storage and use of personalinformation can be in an appropriately secure manner reflective of thetype of information, for example, through various encryption andanonymization techniques for particularly sensitive information.

It will be apparent that systems and/or methods, described herein, canbe implemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, or acombination of hardware and software. The actual specialized controlhardware or software code used to implement these systems and/or methodsis not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behaviorof the systems and/or methods were described herein without reference tospecific software code—it being understood that software and hardwarecan be designed to implement the systems and/or methods based on thedescription herein.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. In fact,many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically recitedin the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although eachdependent claim listed below can directly depend on only one claim, thedisclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim incombination with every other claim in the claim set.

A conjunction used with regard to two or more alternatives (e.g., “or”or “and/or”) is intended to be interpreted as inclusive (e.g., “and/or”)rather than exclusive with regard to the two or more alternatives,irrespective of which form of the conjunction is predominately usedherein, unless language to override this interpretation is used (e.g.,“only one of,” etc.).

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems, and can be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore,as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items(e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related andunrelated items, etc.), and can be used interchangeably with “one ormore.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similarlanguage is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,”“having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, thephrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE),comprising: determining, by the UE, that a maximum transmit powercondition associated with a maximum transmit power is satisfied withregard to the UE, wherein the maximum transmit power is associated withat least a closed loop power control or interference reduction, whereinthe maximum transmit power condition is based on at least a totalradiated power or effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) measurementof the UE, and wherein the UE is associated with a 4G/Long TermEvolution (4G/LTE) connection and a 5G/New Radio (5G/NR) connection;decreasing, by the UE, a transmit power of the 5G/NR connection based onthe maximum transmit power condition being satisfied; and maintaining,by the UE, a transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection based on themaximum transmit power condition being satisfied.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising: determining a total transmission power based on asum of the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection and the transmit powerof the 4G/LTE connection.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determiningthat the maximum transmit power condition is satisfied furthercomprises: determining that the maximum transmit power condition issatisfied based on one or more active applications or services of the UEthat are associated with a Quality of Service (QoS) guarantee.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining that the maximum transmit powercondition is satisfied comprises: determining that the maximum transmitpower condition is satisfied based on determining that a particularservice is active on the 4G/LTE connection.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein determining that the maximum transmit power condition issatisfied comprises: determining a sum of the transmit power of the5G/NR connection and the transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection; andwherein decreasing the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection comprises:decreasing the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection until the sum ofthe transmit power of the 5G/NR connection and the transmit power of the4G/LTE connection no longer exceeds a threshold associated with themaximum transmit power condition.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereindecreasing the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection comprises:decreasing the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection to zero.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, based ondetermining whether the 5G/NR connection should be deactivated,capability information indicating a 5G/NR capability, whereindetermining whether the 5G/NR connection should be deactivated is basedon the maximum transmit power condition.
 8. A user equipment (UE),comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processorscommunicatively coupled to the one or more memories, configured to:determine that a maximum transmit power condition associated with amaximum transmit power is satisfied with regard to the UE, wherein themaximum transmit power is associated with at least a closed loop powercontrol or interference reduction, wherein the maximum transmit powercondition is based on at least a total radiated power or effectiveisotropic radiated power (EIRP) measurement of the UE, and wherein theUE is associated with a 4G/Long Term Evolution (4G/LTE) connection and a5G/New Radio (5G/NR) connection; decrease a transmit power of the 5G/NRconnection based on the maximum transmit power condition beingsatisfied; and maintain a transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection basedon the maximum transmit power condition being satisfied.
 9. The UE ofclaim 8, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:determine a total transmission power based on a sum of the transmitpower of the 5G/NR connection and the transmit power of the 4G/LTEconnection.
 10. The UE of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors,when determining that the maximum transmit power condition is satisfied,are configured to: determine that the maximum transmit power conditionis satisfied based on one or more active applications or services of theUE that are associated with a Quality of Service (QoS) guarantee. 11.The UE of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors, when determiningthat the maximum transmit power condition is satisfied, are configuredto: determine that the maximum transmit power condition is satisfiedbased on determining that a particular service is active on the 4G/LTEconnection.
 12. The UE of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors,when determining that the maximum transmit power condition is satisfied,are configured to: determine a sum of the transmit power of the 5G/NRconnection and the transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection; and whereinthe one or more processors, when decreasing the transmit power of the5G/NR connection, are configured to: decrease the transmit power of the5G/NR connection until the sum of the transmit power of the 5G/NRconnection and the transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection no longerexceeds a threshold associated with the maximum transmit powercondition.
 13. The UE of claim 8, wherein the one or more processors,when decreasing the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection, areconfigured to: decrease the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection tozero.
 14. The UE of claim 8, wherein the maximum transmit powercondition is based on an average transmit power of the UE.
 15. The UE ofclaim 8, wherein the maximum transmit power condition is based on one ormore active applications or services.
 16. The UE of claim 8, wherein theone or more processors are further configured to: selectively transmitcapability information indicating a 5G/NR capability based ondetermining whether the 5G/NR connection should be deactivated, whereindetermining whether the 5G/NR connection should be deactivated is basedon the maximum transmit power condition.
 17. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructionscomprising: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or moreprocessors of a user equipment (UE), cause the one or more processorsto: determine that a maximum transmit power condition associated with amaximum transmit power is satisfied with regard to the UE, wherein themaximum transmit power is associated with at least a closed loop powercontrol or interference reduction, wherein the maximum transmit powercondition is based on at least a total radiated power or effectiveisotropic radiated power (EIRP) measurement of the UE, and wherein theUE is associated with a 4G/Long Term Evolution (4G/LTE) connection and a5G/New Radio (5G/NR) connection; decrease a transmit power of the 5G/NRconnection based on the maximum transmit power condition beingsatisfied; and maintain a transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection basedon the maximum transmit power condition being satisfied.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one ormore instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, furthercause the one or more processors to: determine a total transmissionpower based on a sum of the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection andthe transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or moreinstructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine thatthe maximum transmit power condition is satisfied, cause the one or moreprocessors to: determine that the maximum transmit power condition issatisfied based on one or more active applications or services of the UEthat are associated with a Quality of Service (QoS) guarantee.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one ormore instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determinethat the maximum transmit power condition is satisfied, cause the one ormore processors to: determine a sum of the transmit power of the 5G/NRconnection and the transmit power of the 4G/LTE connection; and whereinthe one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors todecrease the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection, cause the one ormore processors to: decrease the transmit power of the 5G/NR connectionuntil the sum of the transmit power of the 5G/NR connection and thetransmit power of the 4G/LTE connection no longer exceeds a thresholdassociated with the maximum transmit power condition.